Tag: comfort zone

Hello and good afternoon! Today I want to explain the importance of exploring life outside of your comfort zone, tell you guys what happened to me once I did just that (good things, I promise), and fill everyone in on what my life has been like this past year.

First of all, this year has been the best year so far for me. Here’s a few things that happened to me: I finally decided on a career path; I want to be a florist. To work in a flower shop and eventually move my way over to weddings. So, I started school specifically for this. I’m going to trade schools and such, I’m trying to learn all I can before I get a job in this field. I finish school on my two year anniversary with my fiance in a couple of weeks. I’ll be looking for work next year in San Diego (if anyone knows of anything or any people hiring or accepting internships for florists, let me know please! Much appreciated).

Speaking of my finace… I’m engaged! It happened in September this year. I don’t remember a time where I’ve ever been this happy! It’s really quite amazing.

Now, as for my comfort zone… I’ve always had trouble trying new things, whether it be trying different foods or going to places for the first time or meeting new people. I have tons of anxiety so I’ve kind of cut myself off from anything that’s out of my comfort zone basically all my life.

I went to visit my brother on the other side of the state this past summer. He’s always challenging me to get out of my comfort zone because he knows it’s good for me and that I’ve basically never had to do most of my life. I love visiting him but there was always this part of me that dreaded going to see him because he’ll make me do new things outside of my comfort zone. So, of course when I wasn’t thinking clearly (at least that’s what I told myself) I told him I’d be willing to try most foods he makes me eat as long as it’s not spicy. I’m very picky, so after I told him, I was sure I had made a mistake. But, as it turns out I discovered that I actually like lettuce (just one kind though) and cashews and a few other things I can’t remember right this moment. It was amazing for me and my family to see me do this. During the moment it was terrifying but afterwards I was amazed and it felt awesome being so proud of myself. After that trip I’ve been way more open to new foods than I have ever been in my whole life.

Another thing I’ve been doing this past year is making my own decisions, and understanding that it’s ok to be wrong. I know that people make mistakes and that’s ok as long as you learn from them. But I have a habit of excluding myself from all of this. For example, other people deserve this and that, but not me. It’s ok to cry, but not me. I always give people advice but I need to take my own advice because I never include myself. I think it’s weird and I have no idea when or how this thought process started.

Currently I live with my future in-laws. My fiance’s parents. They’re the best. They’ve helped me grow in so many ways. I am often challenged to make my own decisions, but I’m not left without help. They reassure me that it’s my decision, I’m an adult I can make my own decisions but they’re going to give me advice and what they think I should do and it’s up to me if I want to do it or not. Before I moved in with them, I never knew this. Before, I’ve always looked to my mom or dad for an answer to a question I was asked. And they’d answer for me. It started as a child when I was too scared to speak because I didn’t want to say anything wrong or make someone mad, etc. I let my anxiety get in the way of my speech.

Now, I still have struggles with speaking my mind, and many other things, of course, but I’m doing way better and I’ve grown so incredibly much and it amazes me to think that I used to be completely silent and I wouldn’t speak a word because I couldn’t, and not just because I was scared, but because my fear was so strong my throat would close up and no words could escape me. My family has said that they’ve never seen me talk like I am now-animatedly and excitedly, happily, and now I talk a lot. Which is HUGE. I still don’t talk as much as the average person would but it’s a lot for me.

I still have a lot of things to learn. But I’m getting there; I’m learning and it’s great. And I never thought I’d say that, haha!

If you’ve gotten this far into my post, I applaud you! Now here’s the point, so keep reading:

Getting out of your comfort zone is incredibly difficult and scary. And it can be hard during the moment to understand that it’s ok, what is happening is good, you’re getting out of your comfort zone and that’s great! It takes a lot of strength and courage and willpower to do it. But you can do it. And afterwards? You’ll be amazed and so proud of yourself and others will be too.

Now go out and explore the world around you. You’ll grow way faster by doing so! Staying in your comfort zone your whole life will stop your growth. Seriously! It stopped mine. And now I’m growing so much and I never thought I’d ever be doing the things I’m doing now. I never ever thought I’d be who I am today.

Take small steps everyday. You’ll be surprised at what you discover you can do.